Presiding Bishop Eaton Issues Statement on Immigration Executive Orders
“When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord
Presiding Bishop Eaton Issues Pastoral Message on Executive Orders
Dear church, On Monday, our nation witnessed the peaceful transfer of power central to our democracy, followed by sweeping actions by the incoming Trump administration. Facing such changes, we receive guidance through Martin Luther's words in the Large Catechism. In the fourth petition of the Lord's Prayer, where we pray
ELCA Observes National Day of Racial Healing
CHICAGO (Jan. 14, 2025) — In observance of the 2025 National Day of Racial Healing, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), in partnership with Augsburg Fortress Press, will host a free online educational event Tuesday, Jan. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central time. The National Day of
A Message from Bishop Eaton on the California Wildfires
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2). Dear church, The images of leaping flames, smoke-choked skies, and the
Presiding Bishop Eaton Issues Pastoral Message on Syria
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined.” —Isaiah 9:2 Dear friends in Christ, Last week, much of the world was surprised to hear that the people of Syria were awaking to
A Pastoral Message from the ELCA Bishops of Pennsylvania
Advent 2024: A Season of Waiting and Hope Dear Pennsylvania Lutherans and Partners in Ministry, As we begin the season of Advent, we are reminded of the holy call to wait with hope and expectation. In this time of preparation, we recall the promise of God’s presence among us—Emmanuel, God with us—and
New Report: 2024 State of Children’s Health Finds Uninsured Rates for PA Children Stable, Yet Remains Too High
The number of uninsured children in Pennsylvania remains stable following last year's unwinding of the Medicaid continuous coverage provision, but no progress has been made, according to the 2024 State of Children's Health report by Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children. The report provides the first look at the impact of resuming
Take the LAMPa Network Survey
As we look forward to 2025 and beyond, LAMPa is ready to accompany you and our ELCA Lutheran ministries across the Commonwealth as we live into our baptismal call to strive for justice and peace. This biennial survey helps us discern where the Holy Spirit is leading us for public
Love Anyway Feasts Take Place Across PA
At Lutheran Day in May, LAMPa announced we would be seeding 10 “Love Anyway Feasts” as part of a grant to do peacebuilding in Pennsylvania. As a program designed to bring people from a diversity of backgrounds around a common table to share a meal and enter into deeper relationship
2023-2024 Legislative Session Ends
The Pennsylvania General Assembly’s 2023-2024 session is coming to an end. While a few session days remain on the calendar, it is unlikely major legislation will get a vote. Several important LAMPa-identified bills and budget priorities passed, yet the majority of priorities and programs that could make improvements in the